LA City workers are paid more than double what comparable private sector jobs (Freedom: wages, taxes)

[V8 Vega]

LA Times Sunday 4/26
Security Guards LA 57,501 Private 23,330
Janitors LA. 46,694 Private 22,750
Gardeners LA.55,173 Private 23,250
Trash truck driver LA.73,707 Private 43,200
Because of this is why our taxes are so high. You are paying for this crap. Also normally provided city services are cut way back because of this.
Their unions contribute mightally to get city councel members elected so this will never change.

[MordinSolus]

Yes, the problem is city employees making a living wage, not private sector employees being underpaid.

[BeatAngMoh]

In doing business with the city I found they like bilingual staff (Spanish) to be assigned. I'm guessing they also pay a premium for Spanish speaking workers of their own.

[True Freedom]

Originally Posted by MordinSolus

Yes, the problem is city employees making a living wage, not private sector employees being underpaid.

We should just make minimum wage be $150/hr. That will solve things.

[seanlax]

But seriously <23k average for a janitor in LA? That's really low, even for private industry. The private sector should be embarrassed by this, and the public sector should be proud.

[909er]

That's because the economy is majorly disconnected and this is what happens with massive Gov intervention. Gov jobs used to be low paid service positions, not the other way around. I hate taxes and all that, Don't Tread On Me.

You can see the banana republic this place has become, have's and have not's and very little in between.

And it's not a living wage if it comes off the backs of taxpayers.

[hjt123]

Originally Posted by True Freedom

We should just make minimum wage be $150/hr. That will solve things.

This absurd meme needs to stop

[nightlysparrow]

Imagine what a janitor has to clean up in the emergency room areas of County hospital. And the chemicals they have to use on a daily basis cleaning anywhere. There are many workplace injuries for janitors, especially back injuries from lifting buckets, moving furniture to clean, etc.

[tcmtcm]

Strange how people make living wages in countries like Belgium (I spend a lot of time there), and it works. Strong middle class and all.

[True Freedom]

Originally Posted by seanlax

But seriously <23k average for a janitor in LA? That's really low, even for private industry. The private sector should be embarrassed by this, and the public sector should be proud.

what's sad, is that we have such an abundance of poorly educated, low-skill workers, such that companies can pay $23k for a janitorial position and have no problems filling the slot.

Wages are rising in certain high tech sectors, because there's alot of innovation, new businesses, and a dearth of good talent. Supply and demand is in effect here.